Religion is being challenged by the age of material development in which we live. Ours is an era of technological development of such scope and magnitude that religious teachings based upon ritual, dogma, and superstition are no longer accepted by a majority of educated people. Accomplishments of the natural scientists are so impressing the imaginations of our younger people, particularly, that a dogmatic religious concept has a very cold reception from them. Our young people are seeking a religion they can use, a religion which offers practical answers to the problems they are facing.
The traditional concepts of God are being questioned deeply and sincerely by many educators. And many other adults have the same doubts and reservations concerning the existence of a Supreme Being. It is sometimes difficult for people to accept the fact that anything written as long ago as the Bible was can be applicable to present-day situations. That a Bible character said this or that has little meaning or significance to one who does not believe in the validity of the Bible itself.
Material science is doing things, making things happen, changing our very environment and our outlook on life. This mental atmosphere is the one in which our children are growing up. This is what we as Christian Scientists must face, for this represents a challenge which mere words and pseudo-metaphysical statements will not answer.
